A long the scenic seashores of Mubarak Village in Karachi, a pressing waste management crisis has taken hold that is posing a significant threat to the environment and the livelihoods of the village’s residents.

Plastic bottles and wrappers, fishing nets, cigarette butts, used cutlery and discarded shoes litter the beach.

“It is the educated people hailing from the city who are generating plastic and other types of waste,” says Asif, a resident of Mubarak Village.

But discarded blood sample glass bottles, a highly hazardous waste item, are also found callously strewn along the shoreline. Small and medium-sized clinics and hospitals in the vicinity, engaging in malpractices and lacking appropriate waste management systems, contribute to this alarming situation.

A mounting waste management crisis is confronting the scenic coastal area of Mubarak Village on the outskirts of Karachi. Rising tourism and unsustainable local waste management has the makings of a health and environmental disaster

Such hazardous waste is typically associated with the Clifton beach area, notorious for improper disposal practices that result in healthcare waste finding its way into the sea. This not only poses an immediate threat to the local environment but also contributes to the transboundary movement of hazardous materials along the coastline, affecting neighbouring regions and ecosystems.

What makes matters worse is the prevalent practice of openly burning waste in the vicinity. Packaging items, including chips wrappers and shopping bags that are often made of low-density polyethylene, are heaped together and subjected to burning. This not only releases harmful pollutants into the air but also exacerbates environmental degradation.

“Never has any of us seen any municipal waste collection vehicle in the area to cater to the garbage backlogs or other waste generated through tourist activities,” a resident of Mubarak village complains to Eos.

With approximately 10,000 individuals relying on fishing and livestock sales for sustenance, this close-knit community finds itself grappling with the consequences of a surge in waste generation and a lack of proper waste management practices. As the number of tourists flocking to Mubarak Village’s shores continue to rise, the need for effective waste management solutions has become increasingly urgent.

WASTE AUDIT

To shed light on the extent of the waste management crisis, the Circular Plastic Institute (CPI) of Karachi School of Business and Leadership, in collaboration with local Non-Government Organisation (NGO) HANDS conducted a waste audit on their visit, providing valuable insights into the living conditions, waste sources and existing waste management practices in Mubarak Village.

The findings revealed that the fisher community of Mubarak Village is in dire need of support, as they grapple with the responsibility of waste management without basic amenities such as electricity, natural gas and a reliable water supply.

The improper disposal of medical waste allows hazardous materials to infiltrate water channels and eventually find their way into the sea, further perpetuating the contamination of our precious coastlines. This poses significant health risks to not only the fishing community but also to tourists who visit the area.

The presence of high-risk waste items also endangers marine life. Deadly pathogens present in medical waste can spread along the coastline, exposing individuals to potential illnesses and infections.

“Some types of plastic items float on the water while others sink and disturb the fish ecosystem,” reports a fisherman. “A lot of times, it gets stuck in our fishing nets and tears them. We catch less fish because of it too.”

LOGISTICS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

The situation is made worse by the village’s poor infrastructure and its remote and disconnected location. Waste collection becomes a herculean task, requiring transportation over 20 kilometres to reach the nearest designated garbage dumping point.

The lack of external support and resources has placed an immense burden on the community and local businesses, compelling them to manage waste through manual sweeping, collection, and ad-hoc disposal methods. The absence of sustainable waste management practices not only strains the community but also perpetuates non-environmentally friendly practices, such as open waste burning and direct dumping into the sea.

In the face of mounting trash, the residents of the village have been forced to become more proactive. “During the summers, holidays and over weekends, we [the residents of Mubarak village] come together to collect waste and clean the area daily, since tourists leave much of their waste behind,” says one of the residents.

The residents have established a small waste bank, where valuable items from different waste streams are sorted and sold to a local junk collector, helping them generate income and recycle garbage. “A plastic buyer comes every week on a motorcycle to purchase recyclable plastics from commercial dealers and local residents, which he takes back to his storage area adjacent to Nasir Brohi hotel, Hawke’s Bay,” says Pahar Ganj, local resident and business owner.

The residents have also found innovative ways to utilise wet waste for their livestock and actively participate in plastic recycling initiatives. “Due to the lack of sanitation provisions, our community has itself got involved in managing waste,” say Ganj. “Most of our community members are turning towards prospective employment opportunities in the waste sector,” he adds.

THE WAY FORWARD

Efforts are needed to educate visitors, particularly those from urban areas, about responsible waste management practices. By fostering awareness and responsible behaviour among tourists, the community can achieve a significant reduction in waste generation and a positive impact on the environment.

Tourist guides and signage should be employed to promote responsible waste disposal, emphasising the importance of preserving the natural beauty of Mubarak Village and its surroundings.

A robust waste management system is also required to divert recyclable materials, including hard-to-recycle items, to recovery and recycling facilities through public-private partnerships. By preventing waste from entering the ocean, this system would safeguard the marine ecosystem, protect marine life and preserve the potential for coastal tourism. However, such endeavours require collaborative efforts and support from various stakeholders, including government authorities, NGOs, local businesses and the wider community.

The fisher community must be included in efforts by waste management agencies, non-profit organisations and local businesses, to allocate waste collection points and recycling facilities. The community of Mubarak Village, in collaboration with relevant authorities, must also prioritise the implementation of stringent regulations and monitoring systems to ensure proper waste management practices in healthcare facilities.

Awareness campaigns and training programs should be conducted to educate medical professionals about the proper handling and disposal of medical waste. Simultaneously, waste management agencies and local authorities must strengthen inspection protocols and impose strict penalties for waste dumping violations, leaving no room for complacency in the enforcement of waste management regulations.

The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) has been making efforts to cater to the greater area and population of Karachi. “Since inception of the SSWMB in Karachi, and its most recent SWEEP project, there has been an exponential increase in waste collection and transfer to landfill sites and area outreach has increased exponentially,” notes Executive Director SSWMB Tariq Nizamani. “Maximising the value of waste, either by recycling, recovery or other treatment options, can significantly help our collective vision for clean and sustainable cities.” However, this vision has yet to reach Mubarak Village.

The natural beauty of Mubarak Village and the health of its residents can still be protected and the sustainability of this vibrant fishing community can still be ensured for generations to come, if attention is paid to this area and action is urgently taken.

Shiza Aslam is currently heading the Circular Plastic Institute (CPI) as a research fellow at the Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL). Wali Hassan is a Research Associate at CPI

Published in Dawn, EOS, June 11th, 2023